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1986 Oldsmobile CutlassProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 23 owner complaints about the 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints234 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem3Vehicle speed control

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 19, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass has problems

23 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Vehicle speed control30
Engine and engine cooling32
Power train30
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Steering30
Structure20
Tires20
Seat belts20
Electrical system21
2 other systems21

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 89V-102 · Jun 16, 1989 · 1,755,897 vehicles

Risk. SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Oldsmobile.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Cutlass year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cutlass median. How we score

'67'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE NON-RETURNC89001 · closed Jan 16, 1990
    No recall
  2. JAMMED STEERING MECHANISMPE89104 · closed May 12, 1989
    No recall
  3. PARKING BRAKE CABLEPE89145 · closed Sep 22, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cutlass owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

UPON REMOVING FOOT FROM BRAKE, AFTER STOPPING WITHOUT PRESSING GAS, SUDDENLY VEHICLE SHUT OUT OF CONTROL DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE TOUCHING ENGINE BLOCK. TT
Complaint 959413 · Feb 1, 1995

Own a 1986 Cutlass?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.